All hands on deck as Oceania Cruises’ new ‘Riviera’ nears completion

Anticipation grows as Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Riviera, nears completion at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy. The line’s founder and chairman, Frank Del Rio, and the vessel operations team has been on-site for the last two weeks focused on every detail.

Among those on hand for the countdown to the May 11, 2012, christening in Barcelona are celebrated interior designers Dakota Jackson and Susan Bednar Long who are putting the finishing touches on the ship’s spacious suites.

Jacksonis personally supervising the installation of the Vista and Oceania suites, which feature more than 40 custom pieces of furniture and lighting. In addition, a team from Greenwich, CT-based S.B. Long Interiors is overseeing the installation of the ship’s three Owner’s Suites, each measuring more than 2,000 square feet with furnishings from the acclaimed Ralph Lauren Home Collection.

“Riviera looks simply gorgeous and has been custom built to deliver the Oceania Cruises experience to our guests,” said Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Oceania Cruises. “A mid-size ship that can access the world’s most unique ports, multiple gourmet dining venues and un-matched, personalized service are the hallmarks of our brand.”

Oceania Cruises’ newest entry in the upper-premium category blends the line’s signature country club casual atmosphere with the sophisticated elegance of a luxurious private estate.

Several one-of-a-kind features distinguish Riviera, including a museum-worthy collection of more than 100 works by some of Latin America’s most accomplished and admired contemporary artists; the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, a cooking school at sea offering hands-on learning; La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a professional facility for wine tastings and pairing dinners, as well as 10 dining venues including Jacques, the namesake restaurant of the world-renowned master chef, Jacques Pépin.

The ship’s gala christening ceremony in Barcelona will be presided over by Riviera’s godmother, Cat Cora, who is a master chef, restaurateur, humanitarian, author, and co-host of Bravo’s new “Around the World in 80 Plates.” Following the inaugural festivities, the ship sails a 10-day Maiden Voyage on May 16 from Venice to Athens. Through November 2012 Riviera will offer 12 distinctive itineraries on a total of 20 Mediterranean voyages, calling on ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco, with maiden calls in Cephalonia (Argostoli), Motril (Granada) and La Palma in the Canary Islands.

The latest " Explore Your World" offers are out now featuring Riviera, for sales through to 30 June 2012.